It is with great sadness and hope in the Resurrection that I learned of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI this morning. Pope Benedict will be remembered as a giant of the Catholic Church. He was a guiding theological light for all of us. He stood firm against the waves of secularism battering the Church; like a rock, his teachings were grounded in the Truth of Jesus Christ and His Catholic Church.
Pope Benedict’s work at the Second Vatican Council and his subsequent theological writings during the pontificate of Pope St. John Paul II and his own time as pope will serve as a guide for the Church for generations to come. His years of intense work on the Catechism of the Catholic Church are a testament to his dedication to shepherding the faithful and bringing us all closer to Christ.
I will never forget the gentle humility he brought to his work, whether he was leading a discussion, greeting the faithful or meeting one-on-one with a bishop. He was a humble man whose holiness drew so many closer to Christ.
I am so thankful to Pope Benedict for naming me a bishop in 2008 and appointing me to lead this great Diocese of Lincoln in 2012. Having had the privilege of meeting him and talking with him on numerous occasions, I will always remember the depth of his wisdom and knowledge, his heart for service to the Church, and his immense love for the Catholic faith. He has left a very permanent and distinct mark on the Catholic Church. Thank you Pope Benedict for your service to God here on earth. May you now rest in His peace eternally.
Bishop James D. Conley
Diocese of Lincoln
